Mike Evans: What Happened, Injury Update and Will He Play Today?

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans suffered an injury during the team’s Week 3 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Evans entered the game after dealing with a hip issue during the week, but he was cleared to play before kickoff.

The veteran receiver’s afternoon ended early after a hit late in the second quarter. Here is the latest on Mike Evans, including what happened, his injury status and whether he will play today.

What Happened to Mike Evans?

Mike Evans was injured during the 49ers’ game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium.

According to the Associated Press report carried by FOX Sports, Evans was slow to get up after being hit by Arizona safety Budda Baker on an incomplete pass late in the second quarter. He briefly went into the injury tent before being taken from the field on a cart.

Evans was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The incident was particularly notable because Evans had already been dealing with a hip issue heading into Week 3. The official NFL injury report listed him as having a hip injury and as questionable before Sunday’s game.

Mike Evans Injury: What Did He Hurt?

The latest reports indicate that Mike Evans suffered injuries involving his ribs and oblique.

He was hit during the second quarter and immediately appeared to be in discomfort. The 49ers ruled him out for the remainder of the contest, although the initial reports did not establish the full severity of the injury.

Some early reports described the issue specifically as a rib injury. A report published September 28 said the 49ers confirmed Evans suffered a rib injury in the second quarter.

Did Mike Evans Get Hurt?

Yes. Mike Evans did get hurt during the 49ers’ Week 3 game against the Cardinals.

He left the field on a cart after the second-quarter play and did not return. The 49ers eventually defeated the Cardinals 36-30, but Evans’ injury became one of the major concerns coming out of the game.

Will Mike Evans Play Today?

As of September 28, Mike Evans is not scheduled to play today, because the 49ers do not have a game on Monday.

The more important question is whether Evans will be available for San Francisco’s next game.

At this point, there is no definitive timetable for his return. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the Cardinals game that he did not know whether Evans had broken any ribs or how much time the receiver might miss.

That means his availability for the 49ers’ next game should become clearer once the team releases its practice participation and injury information.

Mike Evans Injury Status

The situation currently looks like this:

The official NFL injury information had Evans listed with a hip issue and questionable status before the Cardinals game. He was ultimately cleared to participate but later suffered the new injury.

Could Mike Evans Miss the Next Game?

It is possible, but the available information does not establish how many games Evans will miss.

Rib injuries can affect a receiver’s ability to run routes, absorb contact and make catches, making the upcoming practice reports important. Shanahan’s comments also indicate that the team did not yet know the full extent of Evans’ injury immediately after Sunday’s game.

The 49ers will have to evaluate Evans during the week before determining whether he can return.

Why Mike Evans’ Injury Matters

Evans is an important part of San Francisco’s receiving group, so losing him creates another challenge for the offense.

The veteran receiver joined the 49ers after spending the first 12 seasons of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to a recent report, he accumulated 13,155 receiving yards on 875 receptions during his Tampa Bay career and earned six Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro honors.

His experience and production make his health particularly important as San Francisco manages injuries within its receiving corps.

Mike Evans: What Comes Next?

The immediate focus will be on additional medical evaluation and the 49ers’ practice reports.

For now, the confirmed information is that Evans was injured against Arizona, left the game on a cart and was ruled out with a rib-related injury. The precise severity and expected recovery period remain unclear.

Fans looking for an answer to “Will Mike Evans play today?” should note that there is no 49ers game today, September 28. The bigger question is his status for San Francisco’s next game, which should become clearer as the next injury report is released.

FAQs

What happened to Mike Evans?

Mike Evans suffered a rib and oblique injury during the 49ers’ Week 3 game against the Arizona Cardinals. He was taken off the field on a cart and did not return.

Did Mike Evans get hurt?

Yes. Evans was injured late in the second quarter against Arizona and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

What injury does Mike Evans have?

The latest reports identify injuries to his ribs and oblique, with some reports specifically describing it as a rib injury.

Will Mike Evans play today?

No 49ers game is scheduled for September 28. His availability for San Francisco’s next game has not yet been determined.

Was Mike Evans already injured before the game?

Yes. Evans had been dealing with a hip issue during the week and was listed as questionable before the Cardinals game. He was cleared to play before suffering the new injury.

How serious is Mike Evans’ injury?

The full severity was not immediately known after the game. Kyle Shanahan said he did not know whether Evans had broken any ribs or how long he might be out.